Eskimos GM Ed Hervey tried to get out in front of another loss this week but ended up creating a bigger story (Postmedia)

In a show of faith to this week’s most mistreated CFL player, we’ve asked Khalif Mitchell’s best friend, Simeon Rottier, to join us under the bus and help make another attempt at prognostication immorality. Onward

FRIDAY

Calgary at Edmonton, 6 p.m.

Just when it didn’t seem possible things could get more sideways after Kavis Reed’s idle threat to insist there would be consequences for penalties taken by the Eskimos in a July game against the Lions, along comes his boss, Ed Hervey.

No doubt trying to get out in front of another disheartening loss, Hervey spared few in his organization in a presser this week that got a sharp review from a couple of ex-players.

“The locker room I know for a fact would be livid,” ex-Lions G Rob Murphy said after Hervey dissed Rottier and others. “Good luck having the players play for you for the rest of the year. You have lost them.”

Added ex-Lions SB Jason Clermont: “Simeon Rottier should tell the Esks to mail his cheques to his house. He will be there rehabbing from being under the bus.” Rottier will be a backup against Calgary, but was listed as a starter on the depth chart of the Eskimos, who will have offensive coordinator Doug Sams calling the plays, except when they are critical ones, according to Reed.

Heaven is the new home of an Eskimos beat writer.

Clearly, judging the remarks from Reed after the Calgary game which earned him a league fine, frustration is starting to show, not to mention a few bruises from all the punishment taken by Mike Reilly, who was sacked seven times by Calgary. “Man, that is one tough human,” Calgary’s Charleston Hughes said. Small wonder that for the first time in a long while, Edmonton will start three imports on the offensive line, which might be the first step in any turnaround.

Edmonton is improving offensively, though it would be wise to tell them every game doesn’t start in the fourth quarter. Adarius Bowman returns, which should help. The problem is on a defence without J.C. Sherritt that gives up way too many points. Province pick: Stamps

SATURDAY

B.C. at Hamilton, 1 p.m.

Talk about an identity crisis. B.C. travels to play in a place the Lions have never before visited and the home team won’t even remotely look familiar. The Ticats will unveil retro uniforms honoring the 1941 Hamilton Flying Wildcats, which look like the old uniforms of the red-and-white Montreal Alouettes. The Lions will play at the University of Guelph, which looks like SFU without structural decay.

The prospect of becoming a serious player for a divisional bye became a lot more real this week for Hamilton despite some injuries, and in coming within a field goal on the road last week at B.C. Place Stadium the Ticats are starting to gain a little momentum. They’ll get even more Saturday. Province pick: Ticats.

SUNDAY

Toronto at Montreal, 10 a.m.

Now here’s a bright idea. Why not matchup two teams who only played each other Tuesday and put them up against the first big weekend on the NFL schedule? Not that anyone in Toronto is paying attention to the Argos without Ricky Ray anymore. The talk this week was actually familiar: How the Argos can move to soccer’s BMO Field under the ownership of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Whatever. There can only be one reaction from the Als’ 20-9 win over Toronto if you happen to play for the Lions, who have lost games to both Zach Collaros and Tanner Marsh. “That was disgusting,” Ryan Phillips said.

It’s Marsh’s show for now after the Als put Anthony Calvillo on the nine-game injured list this week, possibly signifying the end of an illustrious career. (Jack Todd in the Montreal Gazette: “Here’s a piece of free, unsolicited advice that Anthony Calvillo will undoubtedly ignore: Hang ‘em up, A.C. Call it a career. Bow out now and accept the accolades that are your due.”)

Collaros is no longer collusus now that teams have had time to study film. Even worse is the fact Chad Owens looks as if he might be starting to wear down too. Province pick: Als

Saskatchewan at Winnipeg, 1 p.m.

Is there some bottomless pit of money in Regina available for whenever the Riders need something? Brendan Taman did it again a week after signing Tristan Jackson when he pulled Chris Garrett off the free agent running back market. Don’t know what it says about the beating Kory Sheets might be taking. Nonetheless, great move.

Saskatchewan has never before 8-1. Winnipeg appears to be simply going through the motions, at least if you want to read between the lines authored by Chad Simpson on life with the Bombers these days:

“You see guys around the facility, and then they’re gone. You know, CEOs and people are losing their jobs. People are freaking out here. Coaches are up for grabs, too. People leaving. It’s a hectic place to play right now. I don’t know the fault, but that’s what’s happening. There’s lots going on. You can’t just focus on football anymore. You’re focusing on living, and people are probably trying to focus on plans after this because they feel they aren’t going to be here.”

And you think the Bombers are going to recover if it’s really like that in Winnipeg? Province pick: Riders.

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